Moving to St. Croix

Tuck3 - where are you a firefighter? My husband is a police officer here in the US and we are moving to St. Croix as well. I may be able to help give you some direction.

I am a firefighter here in Dallas Tx. I hope you can provide some information, the web is not that helpful at all.

Tuck: As I understand it fire and EMT are separate- EMT is under the Department of Health. Fire 340-773-8050, EMS(ervices) 713-8307. I would not count on the website. You will probably need to apply in person- are you moving or coming for a look-see visit?

I am moving just packing up up and leaving

Okay. Another place you might look is Hovensa. I'll bet they have their own fire department...

O. K Where is Hovensa, can you give me any information. By being here in the US it is kind of hard to find such places.

HOVENSA is the oil refinery on St. Croix.

Can you provide a phone number or web site I cannot find one

Here is HOVENSA's web site http://www.hess.com/hovensa/default.htm

Here is some info on salaries; (the site it was on had no info except this)
EMT 21,844 to 42,057 per year

EMT-I 23,416 to 45,061 per year

EMT-C 25,108 to 47,573 per year

EMT-P 26,743 to 50,406 per year

Like East Ender said - its not likely you will find job listings on the web. What I might suggest is that you call the various offices and inquire.

On St. Thomas
Fire Services Administration (340)774-7610
St. John has a Fire Station at (340)776-6333
St. Croix try (340)773-8050

All the best.

--Islander

Thanks Islander the information is helpful, who does Arson invesigations there?
how can I find information about renting an apt there?

Wow...Islander you are great...
Tuck3 has shown a certain impatient attitude that would turn most webmasters "off", but you get the information and pass it on.

Tuck3...Please spend some time learning about this place. The Virgin Islands do need fresh experience people. The skills you might bring to the usvi could be very beneficial. But you must do your homework. Ask the questions..read articles...make phone calls...learn more by listening. No one is going to dump all of the facts in your lap. This is a very unique place. It is not like moving from "metro fire" to "City Fire". It is like moving from Plano to Mars. good luck
b

Thanks for the info,
Just trying to find an good place to live in St Croix, all the information I seem to find is for vacation places.

Tuck: This is why I asked if you were coming for a visit...You are definitely not going to get a government job over the web or probably not over the phone. Most employers want you to be here in person. Usually that means, coming down for a relatively long visit, getting your ducks in a row, then moving. You have said you are moving lock, stock and barrel, so I assume you have done your home work and know to: find temporary housing while looking for something permanent, bring plenty of money to keep you going for awhile 3-6 months), don't burn your bridges back home in case things don't work out for you, etc. These simple pieces of advice are available on this website in the archives. I think b is saying- we can answer some questions for you, but you are going to need to do the leg work. How you find an apartment is by looking! 😉 You will need to read the Avis, drive around, etc... I sense that you feel this is going to be a simple proposition and worry about your expectations...

b - Thanks 🙂

Tuck I agree with East Ender - do your homework. Perhaps you might share with us what you expect so we can let you know if it is realistic. It is very important to have a realistic expectation when moving here. Many people just come and get furstratred when things are not up to what they imagined. If you are well informed then it is more likely to work well. There is a couple who just moved to St. Croix several weeks ago who are doing well there and like it. They posted a report on finding an aparment, car, and other things they needed to take care when they first got there. Maybe check the archieves so you can read it.

As for your question on Apartments.

Apartments in the U.S.V.I are not quite like those popular complexes found in the mainland, where one complex might have 100 apartments that share parking, laundry facilities, a swimming pool. You might find condos in the U.S.V.I for rent that offer this sort of set up, however for the most part apartments in the U.S.V.I are part of homes. Your landlord often lives on one level of the home and you in the apartment on the other level. Therefore it is quite difficult to secure an apartment without being on island to call landlords, meet them and look at the apartment.

Apartments are listed in the local newspapers. The Island Trader and Daily News are good ones for St. Thomas/St. John; and for St. Croix the Avis. These newspapers list the apartments with a short description, location and contact information. You then call the ones that sound appealing to you and make appointments to visit them. It is a very good idea to visit them before agreeing to rent - apartments greatly differ in cleanliness, view, location, parking, amenities. Best bet is to stay in an inn or b&b for a week or so and scout out the newspapers for an apartment that suits your needs and likes.

The St. Croix Avis is not on line so you will not be able to look through the classifieds that way. You will more then likely need to move and stay in a hotel for the first few nights while you scout out an apartment. Not likely and not suggested to try and call and do an apartment deal over the phone. It is important that you see the places as they differ drastically depending on location and what they offer and furnishings ect.

You will need to bring enough $ to keep you a float like East Ender said so that you can stay in hotel for couple days, pay security deposit, first month and last month on apartment, pay for telephone, cable, internet -if you want them... for a car which is very necessary on St. Croix - which is the largest Virgin Islands and is fairly spread out.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. All the best.

--Islander

Tuck3 - what is your email address? I cannot get through to the one posted with your name - trying to give you information re: Federal Govt. employment.

my email is movingtovi@yahoo.com

Tuck-My husband and I moved to St. Croix over 3 months ago. We did however visit back in April to secure housing.

We stayed at the Pink Fancy while we looked for a place. (I have since found out that many people stay there while they are looking for permanent housing). the web site is http://www.pinkfancy.com/index.htm. It's a cute place and fairly cheap. Tell them your plans and David the owner will surly work with you. Also he knows a lot of people on the island that may have places to rent.

The only way you will be able to find something is by looking. Almost everything here works on word of mouth. And they want to meet you in person and if they like you, your in. Simple as that. Same goes for a job. No one will hire you unless they can meet you in person. And many want you to have a valid VI Drivers License (just to make sure you are serious about staying here). Too many people come and go.

Expect to pay around $1,000 a month in rent + utilities for a safe, clean place.

The Sunday and Wednesday editions of the Avis (local newspaper) have the largest classified section.

Good Luck!
If you have questions or would like to chat about island life feel free to contact me. twunschel@vipowernet.net

I saw your message replying to Tuck3 about goverment jobs in the USVI. I was wondering if you have any information you could provide us with. We have been researching moving to the VI for quite some time and would like any help on jobs that you might be able to give. My husband is a veteran and we are hoping this may help with our search. We spent time on St. Croix and St. John earlier this year and loved them both.